The Socceroos defender Ivan Franjic has left A-League champions Brisbane Roar to play in Russia’s top flight.

Franjic, who started Australia’s World Cup campaign at right-back, has signed with newly promoted Russian premier league club Torpedo Moscow. In a deal which has delivered a healthy transfer fee to the Roar, the 26-year-old will debut with Torpedo once he recovers from the hamstring injury he sustained in Brazil.

“Today’s announcement is the result of four weeks of negotiation with Ivan’s new club and we’re satisfied with the final structure of the deal,” the Roar managing director, Sean Dobson, said. “This is a fantastic opportunity for him to continue his career development by playing in an overseas league.

“He has played a big part in our recent success, playing over 100 games for Brisbane Roar, and we thank him for being a loyal servant to our football club over the past five years.”

A late bloomer who only gained his first professional contract at 22 as an injury-replacement player for Brisbane, Franjic’s five-season stint has included three A-League titles.

Franjic was a star of the Roar’s premiership and championship double last season, playing both at full-back and on the right wing. He carried that form into a brief and bittersweet World Cup campaign, setting up Tim Cahill’s headed goal in the 3-1 loss to Chile before tearing his hamstring.

Although Franjic’s transfer has been in the offing for a month, the Roar are still looking at potential replacements for the upcoming season.

“Our playing group is not yet finalised and we’re continually working hard to ensure we can recruit the right types of players into the squad,” Dobson said.